“FRENEMIES”

“Frenemies”! Sometimes a single word can do more to frame an issue that 10,000 words written by someone swimming in the pool of Academia. Mr. Gurcan’s attempt to explain the predicament Turkey is in is a prime example of my comment. “Frenemies”! I love the concept and the simplicity behind that word. Frenemies are not new to the region and the concept has been around as long as there has been organized conflict. Today, the situation Mr. Gurcan addressed in this article is replicated in every square inch of the Middle East. How do you live with a group or movement that appeals just enough to a percentage of your population that you can’t afford to crush it or worse, ignore it? From a perception and control viewpoint, Gurcan’s first group are much easier to not only deal with, but to explain to the Turkish public. Then, Gurcan hits the nail on the head! Switching sides! How many times in the past six years have I addressed the issue of “switching sides”? Hired guns! Young Men looking for adventure when that adventure is the only game in town. That’s been the truth behind the core strength of the Radical Islamic Groups. It’s been the core value behind the Drug Gangs in Mexico and Central America. It’s been the core value of the Street Gangs of the United States. If Tukey and or Mr. Gurcan understands that, then they may just understand the genetic weakness of these organizations.

What makes an uncommitted individual leave? What has taken place when a on again, off again supporter decides to jump ship? Is there a bright and shiny object effect? Does something else look more appealing over time? Do these members, who have commitment and loyalty issues to begin with, simply grow tired of taking orders from leaders they don’t respect? What is the “Life Cycle” of any organizations base? If the “Grunt” is the backbone of the movement, what makes the “Grunt” walk away? Now, some very smart people have been paid a great deal of money to look at this concept and they have been doing so in areas like the Middle East for over fifteen years. The US military’s attempt, along with several other “Agencies”, to break into this mental loop has produced books, lectures and made some people, organizations, very rich. The level of success is measured by the fact that these groups are still being dealt with today. It seems we can see the problem. We can give lectures on how to defeat the backbone of these organizations, but in the end, they are still hear. They are still supported by their core members who have the ability to slide from one group to the next and then back again.

The US, for all of its “experts” and all the tax payers dollars spent, is no better at dealing with what Mr. Gurcan states than most of its Allies. Oh ya…….some of those “Allies” are also….. “Frenemies”! Imagine that!

So, if you have ever wondered why it’s so hard to arm one group and fight the other, then think about the whole concept of the “Frenemies”. 

I wonder if Mr. Gurcan realizes the concept of “Frenemies” is much more applicable to nations than it is to movements or gangs.

Drug Gangs and Terrorist Groups? What are all the similarities? Something fun to think about, but then again, I am sure the books are out there. Boat payments needed to be made or someone needed to get on FOX or CNN news. Oh well. I may take a shot at it anyway.  

http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/authors/metin-gurcan.html